You mean these?
The scout type knife by the one is a Kamp King that was part of a combo by Imperial that had a double sheath where the folder was in a pouch on the front for the fixed blade sheath.
Common makers were Imperial (the H6 plain spine and the H7 which had serrations on the spine of the fish scaler kind,), Utica, and Outdoor. The Imperials were the thinnest, followed by the Utica, with the Outdoor being thickest and having more noticeable heft. There are others, but these are the only ones I know of have. I have a few more than those shown, but only a few. I've lucked out and managed to get both the H6 and H7 versions of the Imperials.
From what I've been able to gather they were made mostly in the 40's and 50's, maybe even in the thirties. They rode on a lot of Boy Scouts belts and a fair number of fellows outdoors.
Do a search of this folder and the Schrade forum for "Sportsman" or "Imperial Sportsman" and you will find a couple of good threads on them.
Here are a two images of markings. An Outdoor Sportsman and an Utica Sportsman.
These were also produced in an axe/knife combo. I have an unmarked ax, probably an Imperial by the feel and look, that had a sheath that was set for the combo. I've paired it up with a Utica for a user set. Not to long back I also picked up a very nice set by Outdoor that have excellent sheaths. I don't have any photos of them at the moment.
I sharpened up one Imperial and one Utica. I'm working on an Outdoor, but it hasn't gotten to the edge I want yet. It is the thickest of the the three brands. The Imperial, and H7, takes a shaving edge as does the Utica. I've found the Utica to be the best balance between the three. I suspect it will hold an edge longer than the Imperial. The Utica also fits in that "just right" category. It is still light enough not to think about, but thick enough (compared to the Imperial) to feel solid.
I too really like the look of them, and to date the prices in general. It seems more people are discovering them though as the final prices on eBay have edged just a little higher. I think they are pretty cool knives. I've no doubt they would give excellent service on the hip of a fellow camping, hunting, and fishing today as they did over a half-century ago. All without weighing your belt down. If, of course, like those fellows you knew how to use a knife for the job at hand. Whatever it might be.
I also liked the style of sheaths most of them came with. It let you carry it on the right or left side. I am given to understand, and backed up by a knife in my stash, that at one time left side carry of the knife was quite common to keep the right side free for a handgun or whatever.
This is about all I know of them. It isn't complete, but it's more than I knew when I got my first one.
Always glad to see these cool, old knives getting some appreciation. Even if it does niggle the price up a little.
Amos
